Moving from Minnesota to Indiana means covering a distance of around 752 miles to the southeast of the US state. What will it be like to move to Indiana, the Hoosier state? The move will definitely come with weather shifts, changes in living patterns and culture, varying living costs, and more.

Here are 10 things you should know when moving from Minnesota to Indiana to prepare you well for the outcome:

1.    Indiana is cheaper than Minnesota in terms of cost of living

Let’s start with the good news. Adjusting to living in Indiana will be easier on your pockets, as living in Indiana is around 12.9% cheaper than living in Minnesota.

From utilities, food, housing, clothing, and entertainment to everything else, you will find Indiana quite affordable. If you get the same salary in Indiana as in Minnesota, there is no harm in grabbing the opportunity.

However, if you were to find jobs in Indiana, getting a bit less than Minnesota will work, too, as long as it’s the job of your choice.

2.    Indiana has more rain, fewer sunny days, and less snow

As compared to Minnesota, Indiana can be more viable if you detest harsh and long winters. Indiana has cold winters and experiences snow, but comparatively less than Minnesota.

The summers are hot and humid in Indiana, followed by rainy and cool springs. The fall is the most beautiful season in Indiana. You should be ready to experience snow in the winter, but not to the same extent as in Minnesota, making it easy to adjust. The temperatures in winter can go as low as -4 degrees to -26 degrees C. Summers are quite bearable, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 32 degrees C.

 

3.    Indiana has affordable housing rates

As per Zillow, the median housing value in Indiana is $228,879, and there has been a 4.3% rise in price compared to last year. Though it isn’t as cheap, it is cheaper than the median house value in Minnesota. As per Zillow, the median house value in Minnesota is $317,760, with a 1% rise in prices compared to last year.

It should be noticed that the house values in most cities in Indiana cross the median house value mark in Minnesota. For instance, cities like Zionsville, Westfield, Carmel, and more have alarmingly high house values, reaching the $400k mark. The most affordable cities are Speedway and Indianapolis.

What about the rent? As per Rent Cafe, the average rent of an apartment in Indiana is $1193 per month, whereas in Minnesota, it is $1665.

4.    Indiana is home to top universities

As per US News and a World Report, Indiana University in Bloomington is the best university in Indiana, ranked 36th in the list of best education schools as per US News.

Indiana is also home to other popular universities, like

• Purdue University in West Lafayette,
• Ball State University in Muncie,
• Huntington University,
• Butler University,
• Bethel College
• Oakland City University.

Despite being home to good universities, Indiana isn’t among the top 15 US cities in education, as the state has a very low population of educated people. Some of the best colleges and universities in Indiana reside in West Lafayette, South Bend, the capital city, Indianapolis, and Evansville.

Indiana is also home to one of the top high schools in the US, Signature Schools, ranked 2nd across the US state. Other top high schools in Indiana include:

• The Indiana Academy, Muncie,
• Speedway Senior High School, Speedway,
• West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School,
• Zionsville Community High School,
• Carmel High School.

The state also has private schools, but they aren’t as popular. Some names include Acacia Academy and Adams School, Children’s Habitat Montessori School, Adventist Christian Elementary School, etc.

5.    Indiana is fairly safe to live in

As per the US News ranking, Minnesota is ranked 20th in crime and corrections, which means it is among the top 20 safest cities in the US. On the other hand, Indiana is ranked 22nd on the same list.

This ensures both cities are comparatively safe to live in. For living an uber-safety life, some of the safest neighborhoods in Indiana include:

• Zionsville, home to good schools and a population of 33000 people
• Meridian-Kessler, a family-friendly city for upper-middle-class people
• Geist, home to politicians, celebrities, and affluent families
• Carmel, home to around 100,000 people with plenty of attractions

However, you should avoid living in Midtown, Tuxedo Park, Westside, and Martindale.

6.    Indiana has a lot of attractions

From hills and beaches to state attractions, every weekend in Indiana is sorted. For hiking and trailing, visit the highest peak in Indiana, Hoosier Hill. There aren’t more options, as Indiana is very flat.

For beaches, you can visit the Michigan city of Indiana, which is popular for its plethora of beaches. A few include Michigan City Beach, Ogden Dunes Beach, Whihala Beach, and Mt. Baldy.

Other major attractions within the city are:

• Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
• Lucas Oil Stadium
• Central Canal
• White River State Park

7.    Indiana has fewer commute times than the national average

The average commute time in the United States is 25.6 minutes, whereas in Indiana, it takes 23.8 minutes to travel to work. Owning a car isn’t necessarily important in Indiana. Though it has no metro or light rail network, the city is well connected through the Amtrak train network and Greyhound bus stations. It also has a public bus system, IndyGo, and Red Line Circulator buses.

8.    Indiana has positive job growth

As per US News, Indiana has a positive job growth rate of 0.1%, whereas the national growth rate is 0.2%. On the other hand, Minnesota shows a negative growth of -0.1%. As per the Monthly Indiana employment report, the industries with the most open jobs include construction (2500+), educational and health services (2400+), leisure and hospitality (1900+), finance (1600+), and trade and transportation (400+).

In short, the employment market in Indiana is in its best phase, with a gain of over 47,000 jobs compared to last year.

9.    Indiana is densely populated

The size of Minnesota is 2.2 times bigger than Indiana, but it still has a smaller population than Indiana. This makes Indiana comparatively crowded.

The population of Indiana is approximately 6.5 million people, whereas Minnesota has a population of 5.3 million people. In short, Indiana hosts more people than Minnesota in a comparatively smaller area.

10. Hoosier State culinary experience

When in Hoosier State, try out these famous delectable from Indiana’s different cities:

• Coney Dogs of Fort Wayne
• Fried biscuits, found at every diner and café
• Triple Root beer
• Shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo Steak House, Indianapolis
• Popcorns of unique flavors

These were, to name a few. Other than these, there are a lot of different cuisines that Indiana is famous for, which you will figure out slowly and gradually as you begin to settle in the state.

Plan Your Move Now!

Indiana is not as desirable as Minnesota to move to, but it is known for its affordability. Job opportunities, education, and safety also make Indiana a great city to move to overall.

Looking for a moving company? Piepho Moving & Storage is a reputed moving company with seventy years of rich experience. We are an esteemed agent for Allied Van Lines, ensuring seamless and effortless move on the go. Contact us today to get a free quote!